Explorers beware, Google forbids the resale or lending of Glass

Google is forbidding any Glass Explorers from reselling or even lending out its $1,500 gadget, reserving the right to deactivate the device of anyone breaching the policy.

The policy is outlined in Glass’ accompanying terms of service, which states that “you may not resell, loan, transfer, or give your device to any other person. If you resell, loan, transfer, or give your device to any other person without Google’s authorization, Google reserves the right to deactivate the device, and neither you nor the authorized person using the device will be entitled to any refund, product support, or product warranty.”

Essentially, no one but the intended recipient is allowed to use Glass or Google will shut it down remotely. Ownership is tracked based on each Explorer’s Google account, so it may still be possible for a quick demo with your friends, as long as they don’t sign in. It may seem absurd, but this was bound to happen. Companies can now retain control of hardware after its sold.

After all, we are only renting the software we use according to law, so hardware is the natural evolution of that. Leave it to Google to be the first company to cross that line. The search giant hasn’t spoke up about the issue and there is no information about when or if the lockdown of Glass will be lifted, according to Wired.

The policy is receiving attention because of a now-cancelled eBay auction that was taken down by one of the Explorer’s who feared upsetting Google. With so many people scrambling for Glass, the seller saw an opportunity to make a huge profit and the plan almost worked. The retail Google Glass surpassed bids of $90,000 before the seller took it down.

It was an innocent enough mistake as Google hadn’t made the terms known to this particular Explorer. The severity of the issue only became clear when the Explorer noticed the outrage being funneled into the Glass Explorers Google+ group. It seems the “Chosen Ones” are taking their calling very seriously and had some unkind words to share about the auction. Most people in the group were appalled that anyone would think it acceptable to sell the mighty Glass for profit.